WTB - Ribbon Tweeter for Realistic Optimus 400 (JVC HSW1101-01A)

[ReadingTeach]

Hi - I'm taking on a (first!) project with a pair of Optimus 400's I picked up the other day. The tweeter I had so hoped would be intact is definitely not. I have seen at least one forum member talk about having one of these tweeters around - would love to find a pair if I can!

 

[davidc]

These are unobtainable. They were also used in Brian Cheney's VMPS speakers from the 80's. I just fried mine tonight. Ugh....

 

[Djnewman16]

Hi - I'm taking on a (first!) project with a pair of Optimus 400's I picked up the other day. The tweeter I had so hoped would be intact is definitely not. I have seen at least one forum member talk about having one of these tweeters around - would love to find a pair if I can!

Not sure if your still interested but I have a pair of Optimus 400 speakers. I have replaced both mid-range and woofers in both but to the best of my knowledge the tweeters are functional. I bought them new in 1984.

 

[Djnewman16]

Just hooked them up and both speakers work.

 

[defec1]

These are unobtainable. They were also used in Brian Cheney's VMPS speakers from the 80's. I just fried mine tonight. Ugh....

ouch. that sucks. what happened?

 

[restorer-john]

These are unobtainable. They were also used in Brian Cheney's VMPS speakers from the 80's. I just fried mine tonight. Ugh....

Realistic 40-1375 might do the job.

RARE REALISTIC LEAF TWEETER RIBBON PLANER AUDIOPHILE 40-1375 VINTAGE | eBay

<p>Realistic Planer Leaf tweeters # 40-1375 tested and working and no damage no scratches. 4" x 4-3/4" 8ohm.Please see photos </p>

www.ebay.com.au

 

[davidc]

ouch. that sucks. what happened?

I was playing Talking Head's "And She Was", a little to loud...

 

[mhardy6647]

Realistic 40-1375 might do the job.

View attachment 358633

RARE REALISTIC LEAF TWEETER RIBBON PLANER AUDIOPHILE 40-1375 VINTAGE | eBay

<p>Realistic Planer Leaf tweeters # 40-1375 tested and working and no damage no scratches. 4" x 4-3/4" 8ohm.Please see photos </p>

www.ebay.com.au

I just had the same thought. The 1375 was clearly "inspired by" the JVC leaf (not ribbon per se) tweeter, but should be much easier to find.
Both are -- quite nice, actually.
I've used 40-1375s, on and off, as "supertweeters" to add some (ahem) "sparkle" to certain high sensitivity loudspeakers.





FWIW and apropos of almost nothing -- I had a single Optimus 400 tweeter for a while, but I gave it to someone who needed one.

 

[davidc]

I'd probably go to the audio circle website, go to the vmps circle, and do a little research to see if the Chinese made copies of the JVC are really any good. Brian Cheney of vmps was one of the very first ones to use the JVC, and there should be some discussion about it